RUNNING TO REPRESENT

Tell us a little about your­self, where you live and why you are running for Congress.

 

 

CARL DEMAIO

I’m running for Congress because I’m fed-up with the di­rection of politics in California and I’m tired of career politi­cians who are cowards and sell­outs. We need more principled fighters who actually follow-through on the promises they make to voters.

Most voters know me pretty well already – most likely from my leadership of the fight to repeal the gas tax hikes in 2018. They know I’m a fighter who is willing to stand up and fight for the people when ca­reer politicians cave in on their principles or merely pay lipservice. On the San Diego City Council, I helped save the city from bankruptcy and got the landmark Pension Reform Ini­tiative passed.

I founded Reform California – a grassroots campaign advo­cacy organization for govern­ment accountability and has blocked over $3 billion in tax hikes. Many others know me from my radio show on News­Radio 600 KOGO.

Prior to entering politics, I was in business. At 23, I founded my first company and my second by age 29. I sold both by age 33. I understand first-hand the struggles of our small business owners and entrepreneurs and will work to cut red-tape.

DARRELL ISSA

I’ve spent much of my life in the area and represented a third of it in the US Congress for 18 years. As chairman of the House Oversight Committee, I held the Obama Administration’s feet to the fire, investigat­ing and going after them for the Fast & Furious scandal, the Benghazi debacle, and for tar­geting conservative nonprofits.

What Democrats and liberals are doing to President Trump with this sham impeachment is a travesty and it needs to stop. President Trump has done a wonderful job as President and I support what he’s doing.

HELEN HORVATH

I’m a 16-year Alpine resident working as no party prefer­ence Congressional candidate to represent the diverse com­munities in the 50th District not a political party. I’m tired of partisan politics and commit­ted to our communities to cre­ate the changes desired by the District’s voters. It’s not about me; it’s about us.

I served 5.5 years in the Army and am honorably discharged. I served in the 1st Armored Division-German Autumn ter­rorist events in 1977, supported the NATO missions in Germany; later worked in the Pacific Theater and worked for Forc­es Command. I was a 16-year military spouse and success­fully held a Secret clearance throughout my military and 22+ years federal career in a va­riety of fields. I am a published author in psychology topics.

Professionally, I hold a Doc­tor of Psychology in Organiza­tion Development (OD). I’m an experienced OD consultant and am an experienced marriage and family therapist. In 2012, I created and managed ILKA Technologies, Inc., an OD con­sulting firm. Our mission is to influence and change govern­ment organizational culture and operations. Designed and deployed an innovation and design program to reduce fed­eral expenditures. This is done through fact driven/legal re­search, authentic leadership, senior executive coaching, innovation and design (saved Army $4M/FY17), and research (pro­posed $55-$110 million cost sav­ings to Navy in FY19). Design and administer psychological and behavioral assessments.

I’ve been a community vol­unteer and advocate since I was 18 years old. I participated on boards and committees to include winning an election as a Mayor at Fort Belvoir re­porting to the Commanding General, San Diego Workforce Partnership, and appointment to the Military and Veterans Advisory Council that I chaired through 2019.

HENRY OTA

I own a home in El Cajon and work in mortgages. I have extensive experience in real estate, agriculture & food and beverage. I’m am 43 years old a single man never married with any kids and am father to dogs, cat, chickens and fish.

I took up this mission when I realized that only career politi­cians or career candidates some of which do not currently reside in our district were attempting to continue with the same beat policies which have not served the community, district or na­tion in the past.

LUCINDA KWH JAHN

My name is Lucinda KWH Jahn, I am 58 years old and live in Escondido, CA. I am an entertainment industry professional. I work setting up lights, sound, video and scenic elements for corporate events, concerts, and theatrical events. I’ve been a full-time mom, a part time the­ater technician, and a small business owner.

What motivated Lucinda to run for congress?

There was a time I could ex­pect my representatives to be responsive to the people they represented. Recently, however, it’s become clear to me it’s no longer the case. My represen­tatives are not accountable to the citizens of their district or state, but to their party, donors, and lobbyists. I committed to running for the congressional seat to give the constituents of the 50th District a non-partisan choice. The people deserve a representative who is solely ac­countable to them.

The last election was ex­tremely disappointing to me. I had no viable choice on the bal­lot for congress. Duncan Hunter was under indictment and the Democratic candidate sent me campaign flyers saying, vote for me, I’m not under indictment. “I’m not under indictment,” is not a philosophy of governance.

NATHAN PAUL WILKINS

Nathan Paul Wilkins is a Re­tired United States Navy SEAL, former Congressional Innova­tion Fellow at the United States House of Representatives En­ergy & Commerce Committee (Republican), and California District 50 Republican congres­sional candidate. Wilkins is a devoted follower of Christ with a Conservative upbringing and identifies as a member of the Republican Party.

Early Life

Born to a blue-collar family in Reedley, California, Wilkins spent the earlier parts of his youth growing up in the com­munity of Reedley, CA. His fa­ther worked as a mechanic and mother as a church accountant. Due to safety concerns, his fam­ily made the choice to move to the mountain community of Oakhurst, California. From the age of 13, he helped his mother and father make ends meet. He graduated from Yosemite High School in Oakhurst, California in June 2004.

Military Service

After entering the United States Navy on a SEAL con­tract, he was medically dropped from the SEAL program after suffering from extensive in­juries. He was deployed to Yo­kosuka, Japan to serve at the Office of Naval Intelligence/ Commander Submarine Group Seven Headquarters. Following SEAL graduation, he was at­tached to SEAL Team 3, where he deployed twice to Naval Special Warfare Unit One with Indo-Pacific Area of Responsi­bility (AOR). After 11 years of service and battling injuries, he was medically retired in 2018 from military service.

Post-Military Life

Wilkins joined the Con­gressional Innovation Fel­lowship, incubated at the Open Technology Institute at New America, in De­cember 2018. In early 2019, he joined the United States House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee as an Innova­tion Fellow. His portfolio included: Communications & Technology, Consumer Protection & Commerce, Oversight & Investiga­tions, Health and Energy & Environment.

Personal Life

Wilkins married Lind­say Wilkins in 2014. To­gether they have one son and one daughter. He iden­tifies as an Evangelical Baptist. He currently lives in Vienna, Virginia and is moving his family back to California District 50 after a year in Congress.

Why I am running:

As a faithful Christian, I am called to live a life of good works thru service to my family, community and country. Although I am not perfect, I do my best to live at the high moral, ethical and sacrificial example of Jesus Christ. California Congressional District 50 suffered a loss in ethical leadership, and I thought that the District could use a trustworthy and experi­enced candidate. With an unprecedented amount of fear that has gripped the United States, finding the source of that fear takes a disciplined and discern­ing mind, one that I have developed over the years in my experiences. After serving in the 116th Congress as a Fellow, I have become con­fident that I can serve the Dis­trict in a highly effective man­ner. Therefore, I am running as a congressional candidate.

BRIAN JONES

I’m running for Congress because our district deserves a representative who shares their conservative values. My solid conservative track record has been demonstrated over nearly twenty-years of service to the people of this district as a Santee council member, State Assemblyman, and now-State Senator where I represent over 80% of the 50th Congressional District. The people of the 50th know me, know my record, and know I am one of them.

What are your top three priorities at the national level and how do you ex­pect to make an impact?

DEMAIO

First, we must help Presi­dent Trump secure the border by building the wall, closing loopholes in the law, mandate and force eVerify, repeal Sanc­tuary State laws, and end chain migration.

Second, I will implement my 10-point Fix Congress First Ini­tiative, which will force Congress to live under the same laws as the rest of us – no excep­tions – and will fundamentally shake up Congress and break through the dysfunction and corruption in our political sys­tem.

Third I want to be the voice of opposition in California to fight back against Socialism. Too many Californians are flee­ing this state and I’m prepared to lead the fight to take back our state from one-party Demo­crat control. 

ISSA

This district needs a Con­gressman who will stand up for the President and defend him and his MAGA [Make America Great Again] agenda. That’s what I’ve always done. I was an early endorser of the Presi­dent’s when he ran in 2016 and he appointed me to a place in his Administration. My oppo­nent has never supported the President: Carl DeMaio is a Never Trump liberal and that’s a big difference in this race. I’m a True Trump Conservative and Carl DeMaio is a Never Trumper.

I’m campaigning on support­ing the MAGA agenda, protect­ing the unborn, and lowering taxes on working families.

HORVATH

1. Out of control spending. In­cludes discretionary spending, federal unemployment costs, failures of leadership in gov­ernment (ethics and behaviors); DoD costs and veteran services, overall government account­ability to reduce expenditures through smaller government.
2. Social Services – Social Se­curity/Medicare, healthcare, immigration, education, hous­ing. Each of these issues are tied to expenditures, loans and individual payments to the government through taxes or loan servicing. Each will require a program modification to keep benefits available. Use of an economic model of immigra­tion through skills and experi­ence may stop the flow of chain migration. Healthcare cost re­ductions through modification of current laws. Examination of $9 billion low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) to create ac­countability in affordable hous­ing development in our commu­nities. Examine student loan debt program for modifications.

3. Women and family rights. The ERA [Equal Rights Amendment] guarantees rights for women and families on mul­tiple levels. I’ll continue to ad­vocate for ERA and strengthen laws to include Pregnancy Pro­tection Act of 1978, Women’s Healthcare Protection Act, continued support for Violence Against Women Act, and other key issues. I have already writ­ten a recommendation to Sena­tors Duckworth and Gillibrand to reduce military sexual as­sault in July 2019; all tied to the VA and DoD budget reduction.

OTA

Implementation of my “UC­SA” Universal Civilian Service Agreement

• Two-year commitment for all eligible 18-24-year-old civil­ians
• Open to anyone over 24 years of age civilian/military service
• Social benefits eligibilities and incentives
• Healthcare, education cred­its, zmall biz loan, housing loan

Ending Homelessness within 2 years in America

• Opening of mental health facilities
• Conscription/compulsory enlistment to UCSA 2 years ci­vilian/military
• Safe and secure rehab/ther­apy for mentally ill for life
• Tax incentives/permit ex­emptions for developer/inves­tor
• Purchasing of all for profit prisons in America
• Civilian job placement/edu­cation credits for work history

Climate and our Food

• Re-appropriating funds in current Farm Bill currently $1 billion
• Elimination use of EBT (food stamps) at all restaurants
• “Small farm”credits ($1 for $1) goes back to the farmer
• Removal of large farm subsi­dies (size subject to discussion)
• Common Coop farm stands across America
• Tax incentives for Agrihood developers
• Tax incentives for commer­cial conversion to solar/agri­culture

JAHN

Health Care

The Affordable Care Act is a 906- page piece of legislation, it needs to be repealed.

National Debt

Over 20 years ago I had the rare opportunity to discuss the national budget with the then director of Budget Issues Paul Posner in the Government Accounting Office for over an hour. He warned me, that if we kept on the trajectory we were on, my children would not be able to afford to leave home until they were 40 years of age. Sound familiar? If nothing else, I want to be able to inform the American public about how our money is being spent.

US Patriot Act

The US Patriot Act is an egregious assault on our indi­vidual liberties, it needs to be repealed.

WILKINS

1. Pro-Life: At conception, life begins, and the unborn child needs to be classified as a “person,” as defined under the 14th Amendment. Unfortunately, due to the confusion on when life begins, now Congress needs to establish that life begins at conception. I will do everything in my power to fight for the rights of the unborn, and make sure that they have the same rights as those that are born. We must establish that “person­hood” starts at conception.
2. 2nd amendment: The Sec­ond Amendment guaranteed that a citizen had the power to defend themselves against harm and governmental oppres­sion. I want to make sure that the power given to individuals in the Constitution is never di­luted or dissolved. As a partici­pant in the 2020 Virginia 2nd Amendment rally, with zero violence related arrests, noth­ing I saw or felt warranted gun control measures.
3. Traditional Marriage: Self­less traditional marriage cre­ates strong families and in turn is an essential element in civil society. There are too many broken and single families, fractured for various reasons. We must create and repair poli­cies that promote healthy tra­ditional families. Our children deserve more than a broken and self-centered American family culture. Let’s create strong fam­ily communities once again.

JONES

1) Provide the people of this district with representation in the House that they deserve and have gone without for too long.

2) Provide strong support for President Trump – specifically securing our border, reducing taxes, cutting regulation and getting the federal government out of the way of hard working business owners and their em­ployees.

3) Provide whatever I can to assist the men and women who serve in the military or has pre­viously served. They and their families sacrificed much to safeguard our freedom and we owe them.

What makes you the best candidate for the 50th District and why?

DEMAIO

First and foremost, people know I’m a proven fighter – and have been for years. Just look at the fight I led against the un­fair and costly gas tax and car tax hikes. Since founding Reform California, I have blocked $3 billion in tax hikes and led the successful fight to strip California politicians of their lavish perks and pensions.

In addition to being a fighter, I’m a hard worker who is dedi­cated to constituent service. Since entering the race in Au­gust, we’ve held over 50 Town Halls. Contrast that with Darrell Issa who held only one Town Hall in his entire 18 years in Congress. I want my constit­uents to know I will be acces­sible to them on any issue they have a problem with. I may not be able to offer a perfect reso­lution to each issue, but I will always do my best to listen and fight for you.

ISSA

I’ll support and defend the President and his agenda, but not my opponent Carl DeMaio. DeMaio has repeatedly at­tacked the President, our Party, and our grassroots members in nasty, personal terms. DeMaio called President Trump “a dis­gusting pig” and campaign for his Libertarian opponent for President in 2016. DeMaio has attacked the Tea Party, saying he doesn’t support their cul­tural views. While I’m a true Trump conservative, it seems Carl DeMaio spends most his time stabbing our president in the back.

Part of being a true Trump conservative is standing up for pro-life and I’m the only person in this race who does. That’s why I’ve been endorsed by National Right to Life and why the Susan B. Anthony List has called me a consistent voice for the pro-life movement. My opponent Carl DeMaio is a pro-abortion liberal and brags about it openly on his website.

I’ve never voted for a bill that raised the taxes of Californians and I never will. My opponent Carl DeMaio takes a different view: he raised taxes on working families by $1.3 billion when he was a city councilman. DeMaio raised even more taxes on real estate, homeowners, and more than doubled taxes for parking.

HORVATH

We have a bipartisan commit­tee composed of independents, Republicans, Democrats, veterans, and women nationally. I have congressional contacts who have known me for years while living in DC who sup­port my campaign for Con­gress. I’ve worked with various government and intelligence agencies whose key leadership is eager to see me in office to create organizational change, resolve government ethics and contracting issues, while cutting the government “fat.” My knowledge runs deep in gov­ernment operations to include designing key stakeholders change process engagement. I have various local veterans’ groups who support my run along with direct experience as a member of the VA Community Advocacy Board.

Prior to running, I networked with key Congressional Repre­sentatives and Senators relat­ing to national issues. I wrote legislative and programmatic solutions to Senators Duck­worth and Gillibrand to stop military sexual trauma. I devel­oped senior leadership profes­sional networks to create im­provements to military quality of life programs/services.

I am not tied to lobbyists or campaign donors. We have not accepted large donations from firms or PACS — we are of the community. This creates a unique strength that will per­mit me to bring to Congress a solution-focused network of like-minded community leaders and supporters. My strength is in the people I work to serve. I’ll create legislation that makes sense through net­work and community collabora­tion. My extensive knowledge, skills, experience, education, and profound comprehension of federal systems will be used to navigate Congress.

My strengths and experi­ences are gained through mili­tary service, community ser­vice, and federal employment at DoD, USDA Foreign Service Office, Pension Benefits Guar­anty Corporation, Social Secu­rity Administration, multiple classified military commands, design of DoD healthcare sys­tem, and a CEO.

OTA

I believe I would be the only candidate to have the ability to relate and work with any party in the White House, Senate or Congress regardless of the election outcome. My outlined plans are backed by the Trump administration, Republican and Democratic senators and con­gress persons.

I’m the only candidate that has a real plan to change the way we are governed and allow the people to take the power back. I am the only candidate who will be beholden to the people’s ideas not the parties far right or left leaning nation­al committees’ agenda!

I cannot be bought, sold or processed by any cooperate/ political/personal interest

I will be the only Congress person too busy to dial for dol­lars or stop working to cam­paign the district to keep my position in office. If I’m doing a good job write my name on the ballot.

JAHN

The “Zero Donate” candidate.

Politicians ask for your mon­ey, time, and support but not for your input on how their policies affect you or your family. Your voice is important, and you have a right to be heard. People vot­ing is still how our leadership is chosen and all I need is for eligible voters to vote for me. I don’t need millions of dollars to run for office. My integrity is not for sale. My decisions will not be influenced by how much money someone has. If I were to accept donations, it infers to some, they are entitled to more access to me, and more opportunities to inform my thinking.

As the Zero Donate Candi­date, I will be accountable to the people I represent. I will not be beholden to donors, corpora­tions, party affiliations, or reli­gious organizations.

WILKINS

Through my history of ser­vice to our country, experience in Congress, and willingness to uproot my family and move across the country; I hope that the Constituents of California District 50 can see that my heart to serve them is of pure motivation. I do not desire political power or prestige, but I see problems that can be solved with my policy positions and experience. My mindset and policy work experience make me the best candidate to deal with a misleading and polariz­ing political environment.

JONES

I am the only candidate with a consistent conservative track record that shows I share the values of the people of the 50th district. The people of the 50th have elected me 8 times be­cause they know me and what I stand for. No other candidate can say that because I am the only leading Republican who lives in the district. The people of the 50th are my friends and neighbors. They know me and I know them. They know I’m a fighter who wins.

 

What would you like to say that is not covered in the above questions?

DEMAIO

Did not respond.

ISSA

Did not respond.

HORVATH

With community support, I’ll succeed because I’m of the community and will work for the community. I hope voters seriously examine a candidate’s facts and fiction against laws and regulations. Setting aside partisan politics and voting for federal work experience will be key to successful representa­tion in the 50th.

OTA

You have many choices in this district, so I ask you to please stop. Consider what each one of us has to gain from “your” nomination “Cui bono” who stands to gain?

If America or you your family and your neighbors are not top of the list, ask yourself what is their end game?

JAHN

No Party Preference voters make up 26.39% of California’s 50th Congressional District according to the California Secretary of State, Report of Registration as of Oct. 1, 2019, Registration by US Congressio­nal District. Make your voices heard and vote in the March 3, 2020 primary. I am fully aware of the belief a vote for a non-partisan candidate is a spoiler vote, however, that fear keeps us captive to a two-party sys­tem. The No Party Preference demographic is growing and now is the time to break the bonds of partisanship and make our voices heard.

WILKINS

Did not respond.

 JONES

Did not respond.